By Jack Fink
Updated March 27, 2026
Representatives from the Republican National Committee recently toured the American Airlines Center in Dallas as the party considers holding an unprecedented midterm convention ahead of November’s elections. The visit, which took place late last month, was described by venue officials as an initial fact-finding trip to evaluate the arena and potential scheduling windows.
Dave Brown, general manager of the American Airlines Center, told CBS Texas he provided RNC staff with the building’s specifications and possible production layouts. He said the arena seats roughly 20,000 for concerts and that corporate events there have drawn as many as 16,000 attendees. RNC officials also reviewed the venue calendar to check late-summer and early-fall availability.
A senior RNC adviser, Danielle Alvarez, issued a statement to CBS Texas saying the proposed midterm convention is tied to President Trump’s leadership and momentum, but she emphasized that no contracts have been signed and that reports about dates and locations remain speculative.
The discussion about Dallas comes as Texas Democrats appear to be coalescing around U.S. Rep. James Talarico of Austin as their likely Senate nominee. Matthew Wilson, a political science professor at SMU, told CBS Texas that Republicans view the Texas Senate race — and possibly other contests in the state — as competitive, making Dallas an attractive site for a major party event.
“This would be a new move, a midterm convention,” Wilson said, adding that staging it in Dallas would signal the party is intent on boosting enthusiasm both nationally and in Texas. With Republicans aiming to limit typical midterm losses for the party holding the White House, organizers are focused on energizing the base and increasing turnout among lower-propensity voters who supported the president.
Republicans have not chosen their Senate nominee for Texas. State Attorney General Ken Paxton is challenging four-term Sen. John Cornyn in a runoff scheduled for May 26.
There is no firm timetable for when the RNC will announce whether it will hold a midterm convention or where it would be located.
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